AROUND THE SHIELD — A week after a loss to a then 1-2 Carolina team that took playoff destiny out of their hands, the Atlanta Falcons responded with arguably its most decisive win of the season.

Tyler Allgeier was at the center of it.

The former BYU running back ran for 69 yards on nine carries, including a 31-yard touchdown, and caught his only target for 19 yards as Younghoe Koo connected on five field goals to lead the Falcons to a much-needed 29-10 win over the Indianapolis Colts.

Allgeier's sprint off the edge into the end zone with 11:13 left in the third quarter was the fourth touchdown of the year and first since Week 9 for the second-year running back from Fontana, California.

Better late than never, though, right? That was how Atlanta (7-8) was feeling as the team kept pace with Tampa Bay, just one game back of the Buccaneers atop the NFC South with two games remaining.

"It was now or never. There ain't no tomorrow," Atlanta defensive tackle Calais Campbell told Falcons media after the defense's six-sack performance, including one by former Judge Memorial standout Kaden Elliss. "Everybody was locked in."

That included Allgeier, who combined with fellow running back Bijan Robinson to average six yards per carry for a Falcons offense that went three-and-out just twice and didn't commit a turnover.

It was also hardly pretty, either. Atlanta went 0-for-3 in the red zone and 0-for-2 with goal to go Sunday. But explosive touchdowns from Allgeier and Taylor Heinicke's 24-yard strike to Kyle Pitts made those numbers matter a bit less.

"Obviously, you want to punch it in a little more when you're down there," Heinicke said, "but a win's a win and we're happy with it."

Here are other highlights from former Utah high school and college football players from Week 16 of the NFL regular season, with a full Christmas Day slate of three games yet to be played:

• Former Utah linebacker Cody Barton posted 10 tackles in the Washington Commanders' 30-28 loss to a Zach Wilson-less New York Jets (concussion), and the former Brighton High star also returned an interception 52 yards before the Jets' walk-off field goal from 54 yards.
• Former Utah State quarterback Jordan Love completed 17-of-28 passes for 219 yards and two touchdowns, and also ran for 12 yards and a score as the Green Bay Packers held off the Carolina Panthers 33-30.
• Former BYU linebacker Sione Takitaki led the Cleveland defense with seven tackles in the Browns' 10th win of the year, 36-22 over the Houston Texans.

Thursday Night Football

Puka Nacua approaching NFL rookie record after sixth 100-yard receiving game

Nacua caught nine passes for 164 yards Thursday night, including a 2-yard touchdown pass from Matthew Stafford, to help the Rams to a 30-22 win over the New Orleans Saints.

Monday games

Las Vegas 20, Kansas City 14

Raiders (7-8)

• Andre James, C, Herriman (via UCLA): Started at center.

Chiefs (9-6)

• No locals on the active roster, but coached by former BYU offensive lineman and graduate assistant Andy Reid.

Philadelphia 33, New York 25

Eagles (11-4)

• Sua Opeta, OG, Weber State/Stansbury: Started at left guard.
• Britain Covey, WR/RS, Utah/Timpview: Reserve receiver caught one pass for 7 yards, returned three punts for 66 yards (22.0 yards per punt) with a fair catch and a career-long return of 54 yards.

Giants (5-10)

• No locals on the active roster.

Baltimore 33, San Francisco 19

Ravens (12-3)

• Marcus Williams, S, Utah: Starting safety had seven tackles, a tackle for loss and an interception for a defensive that picked off 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy five times.
• Tyler Huntley, QB, Utah: Active, but did not play.
• Kyle Van Noy, LB, BYU: Reserve edge rusher had three tackles and a sack on defense.

49ers (11-4)

• Fred Warner, LB, BYU: Starting linebacker posted 10 tackles, a tackle for loss and two pass breakups on defense.
• Mitch Wishnowsky, P, Utah: Punted twice for 112 yards (56.0 yards per punt) including a 57-yard kick and a punt downed inside the 20.

Sunday Night Football

New England 26, Denver 23

Patriots (4-11)

• No locals on the active roster.

Broncos (7-8)

• Garett Bolles, OT, Utah/Snow/Westlake: Started at left tackle.

Sunday afternoon

Atlanta 29, Indianapolis 10

Falcons (7-8)

• Tyler Allgeier, RB, BYU: Reserve running back ran for 69 yards on nine carries with a touchdown.
• Clark Phillips III, CB, Utah: Starting cornerback had three tackles and a pass defended.
• Kaden Elliss, LB, Judge Memorial (via Idaho): Starting linebacker posted a team-high 10 tackles, three tackles for loss, a sack and a pass defended.

Colts (8-7)

• Blake Freeland, OT, BYU/Herriman: Started at right tackle.
• Julian Blackmon, S, Utah/Layton: Starting safety made one tackle before leaving with an injury.
• Matt Gay, K, Utah/UVU/Orem: Booted a field goal of 33 yards and a PAT.
• Zack Moss, RB, Utah: Inactive for Week 16 (shoulder).

Green Bay 33, Carolina 30

Packers (7-8)

• Jordan Love, QB, Utah State: Starting quarterback completed 17-of-28 passes for 219 yards and two touchdowns, and ran for 12 yards and a score with one sack taken.
• Zayne Anderson, S, BYU/Stansbury: Reserve safety also played on special teams.

Panthers (2-13)

• No locals on the active roster.

Cleveland 36, Houston 22

Browns (10-5)

• Sione Takitaki, LB, BYU: Starting linebacker had a team-best seven tackles on defense.
• Mohamoud Diabate, LB, Utah: Reserve linebacker made one tackle on special teams.
• Siaki Ika, DT, East (via Baylor): Reserve defensive tackle also played on special teams.

Texans (8-7)

• Dalton Schultz, TE, Bingham (via Stanford): Reserve tight end caught team-high eight passes for 61 yards on offense.

Detroit 30, Minnesota 24

Lions (11-4)

• Penei Sewell, OT, Desert Hills (via Oregon): Started at right tackle.

Vikings (7-8)

• Jaren Hall, QB, BYU/Maple Mountain: Active, but did not play.
• Khyiris Tonga, DT, BYU/Granger: Reserve defensive tackle also played on special teams.
• Nick Vigil, LB, Utah State/Fremont: Waived with return of LB Jordan Hicks from injured reserve.

New York 30, Washington 28

Jets (6-9)

• Zach Wilson, QB, BYU/Corner Canyon: Inactive for Week 16 (concussion protocol).

Commanders (4-11)

• Cody Barton, LB, Utah/Brighton: Starting linebacker posted 10 tackles and an interception with a 52-yard return.
• Tyler Larsen, C, Utah State/Jordan: Inactive for Week 16 (knee).

Seattle 20, Tennessee 17

Seahawks (8-7)

• Bobby Wagner, LB, Utah State: Starting linebacker had a team-high 11 tackles, two tackles for loss, a sack and a quarterback hit.

Titans (5-10)

• No locals on the active roster.

Tampa Bay 30, Jacksonville 12

Buccaneers (8-7)

• Deven Thompkins, WR, Utah State: Reserve receiver returned one punt for 6 yards and a 17-yard kickoff return.

Jaguars (8-7)

• Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah: Starting linebacker had five tackles and a tackle for loss.

Chicago 27, Arizona 16

Bears (6-9)

• Jaylon Johnson, CB, Utah: Starting defensive back made three tackles.
• Patrick Scales, LS, Utah State/Weber: Long snapper played 10 snaps on special teams.
• Braxton Jones, OT, Southern Utah/Murray: Started at left tackle.
• Noah Sewell, LB, Orem (via Oregon): Inactive for Week 16.

Cardinals (3-12)

• No locals on the active roster.

Miami 22, Dallas 20

Dolphins (11-4)

• Chris Brooks, RB, BYU: Reserve running back also played on special teams.

Cowboys (10-5)

• No locals on the active roster.

Saturday afternoon

Pittsburgh 34, Cincinnati 11

Steelers (8-7)

• Jaylen Warren, RB, Utah State/Snow/East (via Oklahoma State): Reserve running back ran for 24 yards on eight carries, caught team-high five passes for 30 yards in 34 offensive snaps.
• Miles Killebrew, S, Southern Utah: Reserve safety made three tackles in 23 snaps on defense and played 17 snaps on special teams.

Bengals (8-7)

• Jalen Davis, CB, Utah State: Reserve cornerback played 17 snaps on special teams.
• Jay Tufele, DT, Bingham (via USC): Reserve nose tackle made one tackle in eight snaps on defense

Buffalo 24, Los Angeles 22

Bills (9-6)

• Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah: Reserve tight end caught one pass for 7 yards in 23 offensive snaps.
• Taron Johnson, CB, Weber State: Starting nickel totaled seven tackles and two passes defended in 66 defensive snaps.

Chargers (5-10)

• Michael Davis, CB, BYU: Starting cornerback made four tackles in 55 defensive snaps.
• Alohi Gilman, S, Orem (via Notre Dame): Starting safety made three tackles pulled down an interception and forced a fumble in 66 defensive snaps.

Thursday Night football

Los Angeles 30, New Orleans 22

Rams (8-7)

• Puka Nacua, WR, BYU/Orem: Starting receiver caught a team-high nine passes for 164 yards and a touchdown, ran twice for 16 yards in 69 offensive snaps.
• Jonah Williams, DE, Weber State: Starting defensive end played 21 snaps on defense, 10 on special teams.

Saints (7-8)

• Taysom Hill, QB, BYU: Reserve utility player ran twice for 2 yards in 10 snaps on offense, five on special teams.
• Jamaal Williams, RB, BYU: Reserve running back ran twice for 8 yards, caught a five-yard screen pass in 13 snaps on offense.
• Nephi Sewell, LB, Utah/Desert Hills: Reserve linebacker played three snaps on defense, 15 on special teams.
• Rashid Shaheed, WR/RS, Weber State: Starting receiver caught five passes for 70 yards and a touchdown, added a 4-yard sweep in 49 snaps on offense.

Related topics